Edith S "Edie" O'Toole

Edith "Edie" (Vasaturo) O'Toole-beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and neighbor to many-passed away peacefully on August 2, 2024 with family by her side. She was 99 years old, just 13 days shy of her 100th birthday.
Born on August 15, 1924 to Pasquale and Angelina Vasaturo, Edie was a proud lifelong resident of Medfield. She grew up on Miller Street, her home having been infamously and tragically targeted by the Ku Klux Klan in an attempt to drive the Vasaturo family out of town. Neighbors rallied around the Vasaturos and they remained in Medfield, where Edie thrived for an entire century.
The list of Edie's volunteer endeavors, accolades, and contributions to her community is nearly endless. Her lifetime of service efforts extends back to World War II, when she worked as an Air Raid Warden and served on the Rationing Board. Her dedication to Medfield's involvement in the war effort continued long after VE Day came and went. Edie has donated all kinds of memorabilia and photographs from her family's wartime collections to the Medfield Historical Society and she attended nearly every Historical Society meeting while she was still able. In addition, she was a driving force behind the pie-making assembly line for the Society's annual Pantry Sale supporting the Peak House. One of her greatest passions was gardening, and she made sure to turn that passion into service as well. Edie spent over two decades as a member of the Medfield Garden Club where she spent her time beautifying Medfield and providing garden therapy to numerous residents of the Thomas Upham House, where she herself lived out her final years. While spreading her green thumb all around town, Edie simultaneously volunteered with the Friends of the Mentally Ill, where she worked as a staunch advocate for those suffering from mental illness. In that capacity, she spent over 30 years working to improve the quality of life for patients at Medfield State Hospital and, once that had closed, other mental hospitals around Massachusetts by participating in numerous fundraisers and personally providing homemade crafts and decorations. Edie was a constant presence in her church, St. Edward the Confessor. In addition to serving as a religious educator, stuffing bulletins at the church office, and helping keep the church's plants flourishing, she is perhaps best remembered for her decades of service as the Church sacristan and Eucharistic minister for the daily Mass six days a week. In fact, it was not uncommon for her to have been contributing to Mass longer than the pastor. In one of her proudest moments, and in recognition of all she has done for her community, Edie was awarded the Medfield Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award in 2010 thanks to a nomination from her dear friend, Pauline.
Edie's true pride was her family. After the War, she met Thomas O'Toole, himself a WW2 veteran, while working at the Kendall Company. They married in 1950, hand-built their home on Pound Street shortly thereafter, and raised their three daughters, Debbie, Denise, and Maureen. She made their house a home with her wonderfully caring and generous spirit, her skills as a seamstress and crafter, and endless love. Though her roots have always been in Medfield, Edie has traveled far and wide. She loved seeing the world and meeting all the world's people. She could also often be found in the bowling alley, playing cards, caring for her cats, or tending to her garden.
Edie is survived by her daughter Debbie Sherraden, grandsons Collin (Alexandra), Brian, and Aaron (Neha), and great-grandchildren Zya and Myra. She also leaves behind her unwavering Sister-in-Law Irene, devoted Son-in-Law Gary Newcomb, wonderful friend Pauline Medeiros, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Thomas O'Toole, daughters, Maureen O'Toole and Denise Newcomb, granddaughter Sabrina Newcomb, and Son-in-Law Dennis Sherraden. Her family would like to give their deepest thanks to her Hospice Team for keeping her comfortable in her final moments and to the Thomas Upham House Staff for years of great care.
There will be a visitation at Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home in Medfield, MA from 9:30-11AM. on August 23, 2024 followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor in Medfield, MA. Burial will be followed at Vine Lake Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Edie's memory be made to Friends of Seniors, Inc. (FOSI)/The Center at Medfield, the Thomas Upham House, Gentiva Hospice, or a charity of your choice.
Send any monetary contributions in the form of a check to:
The Center at Medfield (aka Friends of Seniors, Inc. - FOSI)
1 Ice House Rd
Medfield, MA 02052
Make checks payable to Town of Medfield/COA
Thomas Upham House
519 Main St
Medfield, MA 02052
Make checks payable to Thomas Upham House
Write "Resident Activity" in the memo line
Gentiva Hospice
130 Rumford Ave, Suite 211
Auburndale, MA 02466
Make checks payable to Gentiva Hospice